THE FORCING GARDEN. 



695 



slioots swelling to twice the size which tliey may have now 

 attained. The tendrils, which are meant hy nature for the 

 vines to support themselves when growing naturally, are use- 

 less in the vinery, and only tend to create confusion, they 

 should therefore be all pinched off, in order that they may not 

 rob the fruit of any of their nourishment. 



The opinions of practical and experimental men differ widely 

 in regard to the best mode of training the vine ; but in what- 

 e\er way it is or can be trained, it is of much less consequence 

 to the production of good crops than its other general manage- 

 ment. To have good grapes, much more depends upon the 

 scil in which they are planted, and tlie climate in which they 

 aie kept, than in any particular mode of training. That mode 

 which tends the least to confusion, and at the same time ad- 

 mits of a constant supply of young bearing shoots into the 

 vinery, is decidedly the best, every advantage being combined 

 in it; while, at the same time, it is exempt from that confu- 

 sion which attends other methods of late years extolled by 

 horticultural writers, and which are not calculated to produce 

 any better effect. A greater variety of training may be in- 

 dulged in on the open walls ; but as the object in all vineries 

 is fruit of the best quality, we see no better method than 

 training the shoots directly up the roof, for, by this means, a 

 good gardener will always be able to provide a regular supply 

 of young wood in every part of his house ; whereas a novice 

 may adopt any plan which he fancies, without attaining the 

 desired object. 



FORCING CUCUMBERS AND MELONS. 



The cucimibcr and melon-plants now showing fruit, will re- 

 quire great care and attonlion, as advised last month. Par- 

 ticular care must be paid to set or impregnate all female flowers 

 as they appear ; for, without this assistance, many would damp 

 off, and orlicrs would grow of a deformed shape, for want of 

 that necessary assistance. This is more particularly to l)e at- 

 Icnde t ) as regards melons ; few, if any of them, will con:e 

 to j erfcction without being impregnated. At a more advanced 



